Kannur (Keralam) | The Forest Department has launched an operation to capture a wild elephant that repeatedly enters human habitations and threatens residents at Aralam Farm, officials said on Saturday.

Two trained Kumki elephants, Vikram and Bharath, were brought to Aralam Farm on Friday night as part of the operation, while another Kumki elephant, Unnikrishnan, is expected to be brought from Wayanad, officials said.

According to officials of the Kannur Divisional Forest Office, the tuskless male elephant, Kannur Makhna-1 (KM-1), has been straying close to human habitations and was involved in the death of a man and attacks on people in the area.

KM-1 has long been a concern for Aralam residents and has frequently entered residential areas, damaging crops and sheds, officials said.

Following protests by residents demanding that the elephant be captured and relocated, the Forest Department decided to launch 'Operation Makhna'.

The two Kumki elephants are currently stationed near the Cheengannipuzha river, officials said.

The immediate challenge for the Forest Department is to locate KM-1, which was last located deep inside the forest, away from human settlements.

More personnel are expected to reach Aralam on Saturday to assist in tracking the elephant, officials said.

Once located, KM-1 will be driven towards the residential boundary, following which efforts will be made to tranquilise and capture it.

Three veterinarians with expertise in tranquilising elephants are also being included in the team.

The Forest Department expects the tranquilisation operation to begin by Monday or Tuesday, officials said.